ABOUT THIS ALBUM

Album Notes

MEET DAVE JORGENSON

Dave Jorgenson is no newcomer to country music. From a young age, Dave has been slinging a guitar strap and entertaining audiences with songs that reflect his personal life and the real world of Midwestern America. In Dave's early years, Hank Williams, Merle Haggard, and Buck Owens made a lasting impression on what would eventually become his life's passion. Dave was exposed to every type of music by his teenage friends and through his participation as a sax player in his High School Band, but his heart was always lured back to the songs that were a part of the rural blue-collar life he lived. Dave is country.

Now what happened between picking up his Dad's Guitar at age 7 and playing on stages in front of thousands is no short story, so listen up.

Dave was raised in the small town of Perry Kansas, near the Nation's shortest hi-way (3/8 mile). His natural ability to sing was discovered as a youth. Encouraged by his friends and family, Dave began to feel very comfortable behind a microphone with his guitar, but it wasn't until Dave graduated High School that he realized the potential of his voice and the songs he had begun to write. Performing those songs in front of audiences gave Dave fulfillment, and would form a dream that had to be followed.

Right out of High School, Dave decided to make his first bold move towards proving himself as a respected singer songwriter by entering the GMC/True Value Country Showdown. His rich vocals and easygoing manner made an immediate impression on both music fans and the other musicians. Dave did not take top honors at his first competition, but he turned the heads of the Band that did win. "Rio" was already touring dance hall circuits in the Midwest and Rockies when they became acquainted with Dave that night. Following the competition, Dave formed the Kawboys with some of his High School friends, and began performing in clubs and on stages around NE Kansas. After a year of experience as the lead vocalist for the Kawboys, he again entered the GMC/True Value Country Showdown, and this time went all the way to the Kansas finals.

Not long after that, Rio asked Dave to join them as lead vocalist, and stand front and center in what would become the opening act for such Country Music greats as Chris LeDoux, Patti Loveless, and Lisa Brokop, just to name a few. During Dave's two-year ride with Rio he became a prolific songwriter, composing songs based on his country heritage and life experiences. Many of his original compositions became crowd favorites.

The lush green hills in Kansas are a wonderful place for inspiration, but Dave knew he would have to give up his homestead to gain notoriety. Though Nashville was known as a country music hotbed, Dave decided to move to Austin. The Honky Tonks and rustic atmosphere were more suitable to Dave's music and personality than the lasers, strobes and line dances that were gripping the country music scene at the time.

Dave and two fellow "RIOnians" packed up, headed south, and reformed as a band that would become "Big Iron". Big Iron found themselves traveling back in time, playing songs reminiscent of Ray Price, Buck Owens, Marty Robbins, and Bob Wills. Big Iron would play central Texas for nearly four years; frequenting places like "The Broken Spoke" home of many country music legends. Then came another change for Dave.

Dave met Benny Mcarthur of "The Ace In the Hole Band" and guitarist for George Strait. Not only did Benny encourage Dave, but he would also be the Producer of Dave's first solo album, Then and Now. Benny and Dave called upon some of Texas' greatest musicians to help in getting that Honky Tonk sound he had always loved.

It's been no short journey, but Then and Now is a true reflection of the kind of person Dave is, and what country music is all about. Dave will be supporting this album with a cast of band members that carry his unique Texas country music to dance halls anywhere and everywhere

The song selection is really great and what a voice, so smooth. The thing I like best about Dave Jorgenson besides being real country, is that he doesn't remind me of anyone else, like all the great artists (Dwight Yoakam for example) he sounds like him self, that is what I look for in artists that I buy. Can't wait for the next CD, maybe you could put a few more than 10 songs on it Dave.

In one word - Fantastic! I've listened to the CD over and over since I bought it Saturday night, and it was worth every penny. Living A Lie, Hell Froze Over & Misty Eyed are probably my favorites. Can't wait until the next CD!

First of all, I'd like to point out that sometimes I get music that I don't really expect much of, and then get blown away by the obvious quality of what I've found. This album is one of those. The sound clips I checked of his sounded okay, but you can never really tell about the quality of a artist or a recording unless you hear the actual disc. Over an Internet modem just isn't good enough, so I obtained a copy of the cd. This guy is GOOD!! It gets even better. Dave wrote all 9 songs on this album!! Better yet, they're all really good songs!!! Folks, this album is pure country and it ought to be way up there on the charts. So, which are the good songs on this cd? That's easy, all of them. Which are my favorites? I haven't been able to eliminate any. I know I loved the Honky-Tonk piano rift in "No Way No How". "Whiskey Helps The Heartache" is a great two stepper dancing song in the best of the traditional country spirit. "Hell Froze Over Tonight" is a great slow dance love song with a lot of steel guitar and piano in it. "You Remind Me Of Someone" is another really good slow dance song. I loved the Spanish guitar effect in "Living A Lie." That song reminds me of one of my favorite Kix Brooks songs "South Of Santa Fe" from the Brooks & Dunn "5" album. And no, I don't mean it sounds like Dave was copying from Kix. It just has that same flavor. It's an entirely different piece of music, but gee, is it ever good! So I guess if you want me to pick a favorite it would have to be that one cause it's going on my "Favorite Songs List." Please, do yourself a favor and order yourself a copy of this album. If you like good, traditional country music, you'll love every track on this album. Thank you Dave!!

Just Got this CD September 2003,Excellent album, fine country at it`s best......The best I`ve heard for two years....major Artists BEWARE, this guy is the top`s............We love you over here.......Nick......Southampton.....England.

How refreshing to hear some GOOD country music again. The CD has a really good mix of true country, tear jerking music and it takes that combination to make those great true country songs. This CD should do really well; hoping that it is picked up and played by the DJs who still know what good country music is. The vocals carry every song very well; will be waiting for the next CD. Hopefully VERY SOON.

I do not usually review un-signed artists,however this CD was left in my car by my better half. The flow of the songs on this CD are so smoothe, I didn't realize it wasn't a major lable record. Living a Lie ( song # 3) compelled me to hit repete and look for the CD cover. It's been a long time since this kind of quality has come out of Austin, Texas.

The cd sounds great if you like George Strait type of music, heck it was produced by George's guitarist. His voice makes me feel like I'm at a campfire; his music makes me want to dance. I'll never regret buying this cd.

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